Lock for vessel-covers.



PATENTED APR. '7, 1903..

R. o. BINGHAM. LooKjFoR VESSEL COVERS.,

AP'PLIGATION HLED AUG. 25, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ROBERT O. BINGHAM, OF SIDNEY, OHIO.

LocK FOR VESSEL-COVERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersrPatent No.` 724,425, dated April 7, 1903.

Application filed August 25,1902. Serial No. 120,907. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT O. BINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sidney, in the county of Shelby and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks for Vessel-Covers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a lock for vesselcovers.

The object of my invention is to provide means for automatically locking the cover of a vessel to its body when the vessel is tilted to the slightest degree from its vertical or normal position, thereby preventing the contents from gushing out at the cover-opening and unlocking the same when the vessel is held in a vertical or normal position.

The features of my invention are more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a coffee-pot with myucover-locking means applied and in its normal or released position, permitting the cover to be readily opened. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the vessel in a tilted position, locking the cover to the body. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the locking means. Fig. 4 is a sectional View of a portion of the cover and one of the locking members. r

In the accompanying drawings my coverlocking means is shown as applied to a coeepot; but the same is readily adaptable to any vessel having a hinged cover. l

A represents the body portion of the vessel; B, the cover or lid hinged thereto by a hinge b.

C represents the spout of the vessel.

D represents a loop-link hinged to the cover by means of a knuckle-band d, said knuckleband being provided with ears d to limit the forward swing of the loop-link. The link being loosely hinged, it will always by its own gravity be suspended in a vertical line.

E represents a catch or hook projecting from the vessel-body and so arranged that when the vessel is tilted the link D will engage said catch and securely lock the cover in its closed position, and the catch being inclined, and with the limited forward movement of the link, insures at all times a proper catch-engaging position of the loop-link when the lid is closed.

As the loop-link is loosely hinged to the cover, by gravity will always be suspended in a direct vertical line, and therefore as the vessel is tilted the link will engage the catch E, which isi projected from the vessel far enough to permit immediate engagement of the parts at the slightest tilting of the vessel, yet at the same time allowing the cover to be readily and easily opened when the vessel is held in a vertical or normal position or tilted in the opposite direction of the catch E. By this construction in pouring out the contents of a vesse1-as,for instance,say, a coffee-potthrough its spout no matter how much the vessel is tilted in such direction the contents cannot force the cover open and gush out through the cover-opening, which accidents are quitenumerous in pouring out coffee, and often result in serious scalds and burns to the'pourer, especially so when the same is handled by children.

By my construction cheap and effective means are provided for automatically lock'.- ing the cover to the body of the vessel when the same is tilted from a vertical line.l

It is obvious that this invention is-equally applicable to any covered utensil provided with -a spout and that it provides an automatically-locking top when thevessel is tilted for pouring.

Having described my invention, I claim- In a vessel forcontaining and pouring liquids, having a hinged lid at the top and a spout on the side of the vessel opposite the free end of the lid, a loop on the side freely suspended pivotally from the free end of the lid,rand a catch projected upon the inside of the vessel adjacentto said loop, said catch being close to and slightly above the lower end of the said loop, whereby a slight tilt of the vessel forward, engages the loop over the catch and locks the lid in closed position, substantially as described. f j

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set `my hand.

ROBERT O. BINGHAM. Witnesses: Y

il. E. RUSSELL,

E. W. BINGHAM. 

